Exploiters of ground water roam free
The legislation is tough and comprehensive but its provisions have never been invoked . Not a single case relating to indiscriminate drilling of borewells has been booked against anyone since the Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act 2002 came into effect. Nor has anybody been penalized for contamination of …
Oliver to get more: Hike in food-for-work funds
The Centre and the Planning Commission are now actively considering a hike in resources for the Food for Work and Wage Employment programmes. Rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, speaking at a review session of the progress of the Rs 11,000 crore Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) here with senior …
Punjab bags six awards
Punjab bagged six awards, including one for best overall performance among the large states, while Himachal Pradesh was given the award for the socially most progressive state in the "State of the States 2004' by
Plan to develop model villages in J&K
One village in each rural block of Jammu and Kashmir is being developed as a model village for the implementation of a plan to transform the rural profile in the state. Disclosing this here yesterday, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, issued instructions to take up three villages each in …
Chidambaram calls for national model on delivery systems
The Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, said that a national model on delivery systems should be evolved based on the best practices followed by the State governments in various fields. He also urged the States that are lagging behind in the race to try and adopt the systems followed by …
CII unveils agenda for clocking 8% GDP growth
Presenting the agenda - Development and Growth: Issues and Challenges - for achieving 8 per cent sustained growth in GDP, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has outlined key focus areas and six new initiatives for 2004-05. These are Condition monitoring (for power equipment); Logistics Advisory Service; Advisory Policy for …
President`s vision for economic uplift
The President, A.P.J Abdul Kalam, outlined his vision for making India an economically empowered nation by the year 2020 and gave out specific solutions to tackle long standing problems such as unemployment, the poor lot of the farmers and the recurring floods in Bihar and the northeast. Making an exhaustive …
Kalam offers new model of development
Breaking fresh ground and offering a new model of development, President APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday suggested creation of seven economic zones based on their core competence and missions for evolving an economically empowered nation. He also made it clear he was convinced that economic development of India would not …
Punjab bags "Best State" medal
Punjab was conferred the "best state" medal at the India Today conclave on states in New Delhi. President A P J Abdul Kalam presented the award to chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. The state was adjudged the best governed and topped the ranking on account of its investment services opportunities, …
States of the nation: The same old story
When it comes to performance, Indian states spring very few surprises. The achievers keep achieving while the laggards continue to dawdle. "There is little churning happening among the states. States occupying top rank in performance continue to do well while bottom ranked continue to guard their positions there," finance minister …
Bangalore declaration to highlight urban issues
Developmental issues in cities could be overcome if the Government took a holistic approach, said former chief secretary and chairman, Centre for Sustainable Development, A. Ravindra. Speaking to reporters after the two-day seminar on
A season for joy: Horticulture farmers reap rich harvest
The sops to farmers continued to flow in Karnataka with the State Cabinet deciding to provide 50 per cent subsidy on the cost of drip irrigation system to horticulture farmers of all districts barring Bijapur and Kolar. Such a decision has been taken to help boost horticultural production amidst depleting …
Talks on N-E development
The Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, has welcomed the formation of a forum of parliamentarians from the North-East to pursue the development initiatives of the region and stressed the need for proper utilisation of rich "genetic resources' of the area. Plenty of resources available in the region particularly genetic …
Euro norms for water used in soft drinks
Soft drinks companies will have to use water testified according to the European standards from 15 October. All the unsold bottles of soft drinks prepared through present norms for water will have to be taken back from the market before the deadline expires. The Union health ministry which was entrusted …
ADB pegs economic growth at 5.4-7.1
Projecting a dismal picture of India's economic growth for the year 2004-05, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pegged the growth at 5.4-7.1 per cent,lower than 8.2 per cent attained last fiscal,mainly on the assumption of a decline in farm output. ADB said agriculture is projected to witness a negative growth …
DDA for water harvesting in Dwarka
To make up for the shortage of water in Dwarka, the Delhi Development Authority has decided to take on an extensive water-harvesting project in the area. This is the first environment project undertaken by the engineering department of the DDA. The DDA constructed water-harvesting systems in 11 DDA housing colonies …
World Bank to focus on poor States
The World Bank has decided to shift focus from the relatively better-off States in India to poverty-intensive ones such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. It has also decided to direct its investment lending more broadly to the States on the basis of guidelines for each sector.
Plan panel sets up 7 inter-Ministerial task forces
The Planning Commission has set up seven inter-Ministerial task forces, following the directive of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to consider action needed for those areas of the National Common Minimum Programme where the agenda is cross-sectoral entailing intervention and inputs by a host of Ministries and departments. Accordingly, …
Study sees lack of vision on development
The absence of a consensus on the issues of development as well as on the development induced displacement and rehabilitation (DIDR) in India is all about a "zero sum game'' which the opposing parties continue to play to the detriment of the nation. There is no common vision of what …
